In-Box Review

Introduction

This is my first Review of a Romeo Kit figure, but , not my first touch of them. Knowing that Romeo is almost a “sister” company and attracted by the interesting thematology and nice figures of them , I have stocked some pieces before. Seeing also the names of Artists that sculpt and paint for Romeo, in great percentage , are the top names of Pegaso. So from when I saw the quality figures of the company that Pegaso guarantees , I felt fully comfident to buy them with closed eyes. So I will do some reviews of different themes from Romeo, and let Armorama members to get to know better with this nice Italian company based in Sicely.

Picking the first theme was, not that easy , cause there are many beauriful figures in company’s range, but I decided to review a figure , that will be the first Napoleonic Era figure for me to paint. And I do this because I wanted to be motivated to paint a Napoleonic, and because I always was attracted by Sapper’s figures and because there is no better figure to start these, than a Maurizio Bruno sculpture.

So after much talking, the one I will examine here is Neapolitan Sapper of line infantry, 5th Rgt. Real Calabria - Reign of Naples 1813-1815 in 54mm

The kit

A blue colored box with 2 thick foam sheets , holds pretty safely all 11 white metal pieces of the figure. The quality of the metal parts is really very high, with smoorh surface, and almost no cleaning need , than a pet with the fine steel wool to polish the figure.

A single sheet of paper holds bilingual (English and Italian) historical text by Marco Giuliani (that I transferred here for your information) and also a very detailed and accurate paint guide, piece by piece

Pieces:

The Torso with feet in one solid piece

Left hand

Right Hand

Back Pack of equipment

waist belt leather case

Sword in Scabard

Head cover additional piece

Plume

Base

Head with its fur cover

Axe

Quality and Detail

As you already have heard the figure is very good
The Sculpture detail is typical Maurizio Bruno.Very clean lines, nice items definitions and separations , face with style and character, and all detail is rendered amazingly realistically. Nothing more , nothing less than you need to say that “This figure is really good !”

The static pose of the figure shows all the pretty impressive dressing of it , and I think that this figure will be surely a good painters delight.

Material - metal – is very good , the surface is pretty smooth and clean and the total look is this of a modern figures company.

As we talked before just to improve what you get, you will just to need a soft touch with fine wire wool, to polish the metal. Then some washing in bath with a mild detergent – water mix to make it as clean as it gets before priming.

Painting

This is a surely a colorful enough figure to paint , with reds, greens, whites , black , and many different textures also to recreate. So needs a bit of experience to make it good. The High sculpting level will of course help a lot, but this will be a pretty impressive finished piece at least to my eyes.

The face with the distinctive thick and long beard of this era’s sappers will be a catchy spot if well painted and show the character that Maurizio sculpted.

Color combinations are standard and u can follow the provided painting guide , or even do your research if u like

Give this figure the time it needs to paint the detail, and the textures and especially the “difficult” white color and you will be surely rewarded. You will have a showpiece and a nice addition to your personal showcase .

As I told you this one will be my first to paint Napoleonic figure , and is one of the most beautiful figures that ever clicked to me ..just like that. I am already considering of making a nice scenery to enhance the feeling of the era, as I think that this figure deserves it.

Conclusion – Final Verdict

Romeo models, is for sure in the group of top leading brands of figure making. Very high quality of metal , casting, and top names to sculpt and paint boxarts. You also have the Pegaso Quality guarantee in the so named release line of the company. What more you need? Get this figure and start painting !

Highly Recommended

Special Thanks to Lorenzo Romeo for the review sample
Stay tuned for more Romeo Models figures figures to be reviewed soon

Historical Notes

In 1808, Gioacchino Murat replaced Giuseppe Bonaparte as ruler of Naples. Shortly thereafter, the infantry regiments of the Kingdom increased from 2 to 12. Each regiment had a distinctive colour as follows: 1st rgt. "King": sky blue. 2nd rgt. "Queen": red. 3rd rgt. “Principe Reale”: black. 4th rgt. "Real. Sannita": amaranth. 5th rgt. "Real Calabria": green. 6th rgt. "Real Napoli": orange. 7th rgt. "Real Africano” (known from. 1813 "Principe Luciano"): yellow. 8th rgt.: pink. 9th rgt.: blue. 10th rgt.: sky blue. 11th rgt.: red. 12th rgt.: green. In order to distinguish the 10th, 11th and 12th regiments from the 1st, 2nd and 5th, the 10th 11th and 12th regiments wore three pointed, white, insignia badges on the collar of their uniforms. The Sappers of the Napoleonic period had several characteristics and features, which distinguished them from the rest of the troops such as their thick, long beards, their long work smocks (aprons) and their extra equipment axe and dagger. The Neapolitan Sapper wore a very distinct and colourful uniform with white braided edging. These Sappers were also involved in a variety of campaigns in which they distinguished themselves, especially in the Russian and German campaigns of 1812. One of the battles in which they displayed great valour occurred on 8 August 1815, at Gaeta, when the 10th and 11th Regiments under the command of General Begam, fought against the Austrians and English soldiers.

SUMMARY

A magnificent figure from the Napoleonic era, sculpted my Master of Napoleonic figures Maurizio Bruno , and in high quality cast by Italian Romeo Models

I started modelling 27 years ago with some 1/72 planes and military vehicles. Soon the diorama bug got into me and with Sheperd Paynes books I dug in. I loved to build dioramas and military vehicles till the Vietnam Era. I don't like modern stuff so much. 4 years ago I had a crush on figure painti...